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Topic: 80 MHP (Read 10046 times)

No-one has yet mentioned that can't do without extra for touring; the sat nav. Well, actually it is very good for getting accurate speeds so one can see where the std fitted speedo is out by 'X' amount etc.Worth knowing I feel even if just so that you know your 80mph is actually 75 or whatever etc.If gearing is changed then it also helps you to recognise the new speedo readings that relate to the bikes genuine speed.

OT slightly but I used a TomTom sat nav to calibrate speedo error on my Honda VTR with its electrical sensor speedo. I then fitted a device called a 'speedo healer' that was calibrated to alter the pulses so that when the speedo was indicating 100mph (on a closed private test track etc ) the sat nav indicated 100.2mph. Good enough for me!!!

Ihit80+ on ine at just unedr2000 miles. After putting the 19 tooth on it, it doesn't want to do it anymore. Don't care. It cruises at 60 barely off an idle. Cruises at 70 effortlessly too. I could probably get 85-90 with a tail wind, but we don't get those much here. I live on the coast and the wind is always hitting me from the side. That's probably why I don't get top speed too often. A 20 mph side wind tendsto slow you up a bit.

A 19 tooth sprocket would definitely leave mine over-geared for my riding. I did some checking on overall gear ratios in top, a late 1950's Bullet worked out at about 4.9:1, and the standard Big Head models were supposed to be good performers. A modern Indian Classic's gearing with the 17 tooth sprocket is very close at 5:1. Going to 18 and 19 teeth on the Electra may make for a more relaxed cruiser, but what you're saying seems to confirm what others have told me, it won't let the motor rev out in 5th gear!

There was a UK Enfield dealer who used to race a 500 Indian (Classic) Bullet and actually geared it DOWN with a 16 tooth sprocket to get it to rev out in top, quite the opposite of what you would expect.

It's a bit irrelevant at the moment as I'm waiting for a replacement clutch cable...

Boy, am I late. Lots to read on this here forum. Unarmed combat. That happened to me only once. Guy ripped my arms off and beat me to death with them. And my Bullet, The Cool Bullet, will go 85 ...........downhill. I like it just fine at 50 or so. As you can see, I'm still alive, barely, and I lied about the arms thing. I wish it was spring already. PS...DId you guys see the Group Pic sent by Kevin..........nice looking kids, huh............dave g in cold MIchigan. I bet Hutch is pissed about the cold...........d

You must be talking about the freezing rain and sleet that is slowly wearing my windows down thinner and thinner as I type. It is beginning to grate on my nerves even faster than the windows. What is nice is knowing that in a short 4and1/2 months I can ride again. Thanks for reminding me Dave!!! Hutch

If you want to have an accurate indication of speed, one option is to fit a cycle computer which picks up a pulse from a small magnet which you need to glue (araldite) to the front rim.

Take time to set it up right. The accuracy depends on the distance travelled per revolution of the front wheel. The best way to do this is to ride forward for a number of revolutions and measure the distance travelled with a long tape.

Pythagoras and tire measurements are OK but they don't take inflatable tires and Adrian's weight into account.

The other advantage is that you will then also have a trip odometer so you will know how much range you have after each fill-up.

REgards

Tiny Tim

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REgards

Tiny Tim

"Whilst it isn't possible to polish a turd, you can always roll it in glitter"

The other advantage is that you will then also have a trip odometer so you will know how much range you have after each fill-up.

I have a friend with a Suzuki S-40. He carries a felt tip pen and writes his fill-up mileage on the chrome gas cap since it wipes off easily. Sometimes his riding buddies will change a number or just wipe it clean for him. Great fun!

I still think that having a decent odo is all one needs on the bike. Re filling the tank, I have adopted what Kiwichick I think posted - top up the tank everytime the bike does 250kms - simple to remember, to get into the gas station at 1000, 1250, 1500 and so on and top up. That way the tank never really empties, because each top up then is about 6.5-7 litres at a time, in a 15 litre tank. Easy way to keep track of the fuel consumption as well, a key measure of how the bike is working too.For the milers, its not so convenient as it is for us metric people. Another reason for the hold outs to go metric??!!Funny thing about metric in India though, and it did take me a long time to compute in kms in my head, without converting to miles to understand; but now here we use kms for speed and distance. But for height of people, we still seem to use feet/inches. For fluid and weight quantities, it is metric. For body weight, we use both, and I have only recently started to compute in my head with kgs. For body temperature, we are more comfortable understanding in Fahrenheit, while for weather, we prefer to use centigrade. Engineers talk mostly in microns now, and not so much of thou. If I look around, I am sure I will find more of such stuff! Seems chaotic, but seems to work pretty well for us!

LJRead

With regard to metric measurements, it's a pain for me, too. I worked for many years doing chemical stuff and the measurements in metric were fine, but for my woodworking, I still use inches and feet. India, having inherited many such things during British rule must really be a hodgepodge since, if you look at British measurement, especially the archaic kind, you find all sorts of odd terms and usage. In New Zealand, I had to get used to 'stones' for body weight. Gradually the old brain cells are adapting, but fortunately I don't have to measure much these days. Look on an old British sailing chart and you find another whole world of odd terms.

So how fast is 80 mph? Wow, metric sounds faster, let's go metric!

I'm getting comfortable with km and litres for driving, so I suppose there's hope. Now if I can only learn to stay on my own side of the road (is it left or is it right?)

It may be a tad Imperialist of me Larry, but I don't see anyting wrong with good old British measurements, Fahrenhiet is more accurate than Celsius for tempearture, for example, being a smaller increment. I guess what really irks me is the fact that it's now illegal to use British Measurements in Britain for any type of trade or commerce. One shopkeeper in the N.E. of England was even famously sent to prison when he insisted on selling his fruit and veg by the pounds and ounces. Talk about losing your sovereignty F.F. Sake, it makes my blood boil!!!!!! The owner of my local(when I still lived in the U.K.) fishing tackle shop was even threatened with prosecution for continuing to sell maggots ( a very popular bait) by the pint. His answer, in true British spirit, was to sell a MEASURE of maggots. Guess what he used as a measure? You've got it, a PINT glass, brilliant! One measure or two Sir? Sad reality is though, that the French and their counterparts, forced the E.E.C. laws on us and nowadays ENGLISH children leave school with no knowledge of ENGLISH measurements, bloody sacriledge, if you ask me!! I mean who wants to by 250 grammes of anything, cokeheads apart, it's so damned impersonal. Well that's my rant of the day over with, I hope you're doing well and dodging the typhoons Larry. Regards, Vern.